Summoned and Unwanted

536 Mirrored Mansion

“Yes. All of the Lionheart branch family members are invited to attend.” Aceon answered. He looked at Sakura and continued, “Additionally, I heard the Duke is interested in meeting you.”

Sakura froze, and her mind went blank after hearing how a noble was interested in meeting her.

Even though the duke was friendly toward them, Sakura was still terrified to hear a noble was interested in her. She almost lost her life while getting humiliated the last time a noble took an interest in her.

Sakura didn’t speak much after that. She went into the carriage and had a long nervous ride to the Milloween family property.

*Milloween Family Mansion*

After a long ride, the two carriages arrived at their destinations.

The gate guards noticed the first carriage with the Ponalis insignia on it, and following behind was the Lionheart insignia on it. After they confirmed it was the invited guests, they opened the gate and allowed entry.

[The Milloween family has strict security.]

-Their procedure is quite advanced. Lenn and Renn could learn a thing or two from them.-

.....

[That is not what I meant. Forget the gate guards doing their jobs professionals secretly peek at the walls. You can slightly see hair and a pair of eyes looking at us.]

Vincent peeked at the wall, and as Kazumi noticed, three heads were poking from the top of the wall. They might have been guards tasked with assisting the gate guards and raising the alarm.

-Interesting. I wonder if we should increase our private guards?-

[Honestly, it might not be a bad idea.]

Later, the two carriages arrived in front of the mansion’s main door.

All the guests exited the carriage apart from Sakura. She was too nervous about setting out of the carriage.

Two maids with the same hair color, eye color, hairstyle, height, size, maid outfit, and walk approached the guests. The two of them gave the impression of being twins, but after taking a good look, their faces were different.

“Welcome, dear guests. Our lord is waiting in the dining hall.” The two maids said at the same time. Both extended their hand at the same time and continued, “Please follow us.”

Vincent, Ester, Lupa, Iris, Lilith, Plow, and Sofy stared at the two maids. Not even real twins would act as if one person was controlling two identical bodies at the same time, almost like a mirror. It was both interesting and intimidating at the same time.

Vincent broke out of his daze and asked, “Are people of the demon race allowed to come here?”

The two maids peeked at the Lionheart carriage and noticed a silhouette with two horns on the person’s head. They peeked at Iris, covering her head with two pointy horns covered by the fabric.

“If the demon in question is a part of our guest’s family, then yes, they are accepted.” The two maids eerily responded at the same time as if their thoughts were shared.

“Did you hear that, Sakura? You can come out without being nervous.” Vincent glanced at Lilith and joked, “I think Lilith is more nervous than you.”

Lilith frowned because the truth hurt. She intended to ask for compensation, but after Sakura mustered her courage and finally exited the carriage, Lilith decided to let this one slide.

[Vincent. Could you take a good look around and tell me what you think of this place.]

-Huh? Okay.-

After the commotion with Sakura was over, Vincent turned around to understand what Kazumi meant. It didn’t take long for Vincent to understand what the words ‘unique character’ meant.

Vincent recalled how unique the path to the entrance was. The path was long, with a well-kept bush wall on each side. Vincent didn’t pay much attention when he was still on the carriage, but now he could briefly recall a mirrored path.

If on the left bush wall was a flower, then on the other side will have a flower of the same kind, color, and position. It was similar with the small trees, light posts, and bush sculptures. If one side had something, then the other side would have the same thing in the exact place.

The mansion appeared to be double the size of the Emerald Lionheart Mansion. Additionally, the proportions were exactly the same on each side. Similarly, there was the exact amount of windows and doors on each side as well.

The more Vincent gazed at the enormous mansion, the more he understood this place was mirrored. From the building to the decorations to the workers, everything was perfect symmetry.

Vincent looked at Aceon and asked bluntly, “My friend. Why didn’t you tell us beforehand that the duke loves symmetry?”

Vincent looked at Iris and continued, “Now I understand why Iris has to cover her horn and add a fake one on the other side. All so that she could be in perfect symmetry.”

“Hehe.” Tiffi giggled. “Isn’t my uncle Bob funny? Uncle Bob loves to see someone look the same on both sides. That’s why mother Karta likes to make my hair unsymmetrical and tease uncle Bob together.”

Aceon started feeling nervous when his daughter started to show she might cause trouble today. Aceon took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead. It appeared he might nervously sweat until he fainted.

“Please follow us.” Both maids requested at the same time.

Aceon and Tiffi followed the two maids first, while Vincent and the rest followed behind.

The more Vincent and his wives walked inside the mansion with perfect symmetry, the more their eyes and heads moved more than their limbs combined.

Inside the mansion of perfect symmetry, the two sides were identical. Even the maids and butlers walked in pairs of two while looking identical. It started to give the vibes of a mirrored mansion.

Unfortunately, this experience wasn’t the last. As they entered the hallway, it started to feel like a never-ending labyrinth.

If there was a door to enter from the outside, then there was a room in front of it with a door in the exact opposite place. The decorations were also identical on both sides.

If there was a window on the outside, then there would be a window with a slightly realistic painting behind the inside window to emulate the outside.

Because the duke’s unique character appeared to be extreme, it probably meant there were paintings for the day, night, cloudy, and rain since attaching a mirror will make the duke’s reflection appear. That would break the symmetry of the hallway.

Vincent wondered if Ester, Iris, Lilith, and Sakura would get lost if left alone for a while. This thought made him recall the time Vincent wanted to make a small game.

In games, symmetry is essential for many things. Unlike many different types of environment and object design, character rigging and animation are things that need symmetry. If not, the new character model will not be able to have the rigging and animation match.

Vincent shook his head and stopped thinking about the past. It wasn’t a great memory either way because Vincent failed many times. He quit in the end with an unfinished character and wonky animation.

After traversing a labyrinth of straight mirrored hallways, only Kazumi knew how to get out with her photographic memory skill.

Soon, they reached a hallway with two sets of identical butlers in front of a two-door entrance on both sides. It made the curious Kazumi check both rooms and return giggling.

[As I expected. There are two identical large dining halls behind the doors. There is a large man on the left one. He looks...] Kazumi paused for a moment and continued after holding her giggling [Quite unique. Thus, I suggest you tell Lupa to behave.]

*Gulp* Vincent tapped on Lupa’s shoulder and requested, “Behave or Plow will be the only good girl today.”

*Pho!* “Plow loves Vincent Vincent. Plow is a good girl.” Plow cheerfully said while sitting on Sakura’s shoulder to enjoy looking at Lupa below her.

Lupa didn’t like this one bit. She pouted and crossed her arms. “My mate... you will see how Lupa is better than a fox. Humph.”

One pair of the two butlers said, “Please enter, esteemed guests.” While opening the door at the same time.

Vincent entered and became amazed at the large dining hall. It made Vincent understand how this mansion was massive for nothing because there were many useless replicated rooms.

In the large dining room was a very long table. Vincent estimated there were fifty chairs placed in symmetry.

From the plates and cutlery to the wall decorations, the large chandelier attached at the exact center of the dining hall, and two fireplaces, everything felt like one side was a mirror of the other.

Vincent soon noticed the fragrant smell of various fruit from scented candles. However, upon smelling the scent, he started feeling hungry. After hearing Lupa and Plow’s stomachs grumbling to eat, he became slightly worried.

.

[Name] Peach Scented Candle

[Condition] Damaged, Enchanted

[Grade] Uncommon

[Description]

[A candle with a peachy aroma smoke.]

[Effect]

*Minor Appetite Enhancement

*Minor Digestion Enhancement

*Minor Taste Enhancement

.

Vincent inspected the candles and discovered the culprit. The scented candles were enchanted to make the person smell them to become hungry, yet they also had beneficial effects.

[I don’t think the duke is trying to trap us, but it is better to be vigilant.]

-Yeah. I will inspect everyone’s food to check if the duke has a different plan in mind.-

[I agree.]

Both Vincent and Kazumi became wary of the duke sitting at the head of the family seat. With a slightly strange symmetrical smile.